[4-minute read] Several Writamins readers have asked me how to use apostrophes with acronyms. An acronym is a word made up of the initial first letters of a group of words. For example, NATO, OPEC, and other pronounceable first initials are acronyms. Initialisms are words that are made up of the initials of core words; they differ from acronyms in […]
Acronyms and Apostrophes Read More »
Eight seconds. That’s about how long you have until your reader decides whether to keep reading or flip forward to the next message. If you’re still reading this Writamin, I’m in luck! Given the deluge of messages your readers are bombarded with and their tenuous attention span, the only way you can be sure to
Research has proven that the ideal average length for a sentence is 10 to 17 words. Does this mean that you will die from having a 25-word sentence? No. Carefully crafted, sentences can sometimes far exceed the recommended length. The secret is that if you must have a 17+word sentence, sandwich it between two shorter
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[4-minute read] Do you ever feel frustrated by your team members’ writing? In my experience, managers often give what they think is a straightforward writing assignment. The document they get back requires so much editing that they could have done it quicker themselves. Then they spend precious time red-lining the draft, send it back to
Assigning Writing Projects Successfully Read More »
[5-minute read] Never use a long word when a short one will do. — George Orwell During World War 2, Winston Churchill was asked to deliver the commencement address at a British boys’ school. The staff was thrilled to have the Prime Minister addressing the students. After a long introduction, Churchill took the podium. He said,
Best Words to Use in a Crisis Read More »
